Californians Beat Drought-Time Conservation Target for April

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Residents of drought-stricken California beat targets for mandatory water conservation in April.

The state Water Resources Control Board said Monday the average Californian used 77 gallons of water per day in April, the latest month that has figures available. That compares to 104 gallons in April 2013, before the state ordered water cutbacks in cities and towns.

Most of California remains in five years of drought, although Northern California is better off this year thanks to near-average rain and snow there.

April is one of the last months of the now 11-month-old statewide conservation order that required up to 25 percent water conservation statewide.

The state is now lifting mandatory conservation for water districts that prove they have enough water to get by if the drought lasts another three years.